IN PHOTOS: Hurricane Beryl strengthens to category 5, devastates southeast Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl escalated to a Category 5 storm late on Monday, marking a significant increase in its destructive power.  Pics/ AFP

Updated On: 2024-07-02 03:03 PM IST

Compiled by : Sanjana Deshpande

Hurricane Beryl escalated to a Category 5 storm late on Monday, marking a significant increase in its destructive power.  Pics/ AFP

The storm's winds reached a maximum sustained speed of 160 mph (260 kph) as it tore through the southeastern Caribbean, causing widespread damage and uprooting communities.

Beryl made landfall on Carriacou in Grenada as a Category 4 storm before strengthening further. The storm caused extensive damage, ripping doors, windows, and roofs off homes. Streets from St. Lucia to Grenada were littered with debris, downed power lines, and fallen trees. In Grenada, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed one fatality and mentioned ongoing efforts to assess the full extent of the damage on Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Authorities in Grenada and Barbados are in the process of assessing the damage. In Grenada, officials evacuated hospital patients to lower floors after the roof was damaged. Prime Minister Mitchell plans to visit Carriacou once it is safe. In Barbados, drones will be used to evaluate the destruction, providing a quicker and more efficient assessment than ground crews.

The hurricane's impact was deeply felt by residents and visitors alike. In Barbados, business owners like Vichelle Clark King surveyed significant damage to their properties. Thousands of visitors, including those who came for the Twenty20 World Cup cricket final, found themselves stranded as flights were cancelled. Jaswinderpal Parmar from California described the harrowing experience of living through his first hurricane, recounting sleepless nights and ongoing concerns from friends and family abroad.

Beryl has set multiple records, including being the earliest Category 4 and Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic. It is only the second Category 5 hurricane observed in July, following Hurricane Emily in 2005. The storm's rapid intensification, from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours, is an occurrence matched by only six other Atlantic hurricanes.

Experts attribute Beryl’s unprecedented strength to record warm ocean waters, which are currently hotter than typical peak temperatures in September. This unusual warmth has contributed significantly to the storm's rapid development and increased intensity, making it a historic event in the Atlantic hurricane season.

Local governments and emergency services have been working tirelessly to mitigate the hurricane's impact. Grenada's national disaster coordinator, Terence Walters, reported receiving initial devastation reports and emphasized ongoing efforts to provide aid and evaluate needs. Officials continue to prioritize safety and prepare for further potential damage.

Beryl is expected to fluctuate in strength as it moves further into the Caribbean. The storm is forecasted to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday as a major hurricane before weakening significantly. Warnings remain in effect for Jamaica and parts of Hispaniola, with officials urging residents to stay vigilant and prepared for potential impacts.

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